Life is Unpredictable even for a Confused Princess

~Prepping for the Ball~

After three long and tedious hours my governess finally dismisses me. I was so over her scolding me about having to act more like an adult because I'm 21. So apparently being bored isn't acting like an adult? As I was walking the halls the knight that I saw earlier came to my mind. I just had to meet him, that mysterious vibe he gave me I just couldn't brush off.

I wanted to know more of him. I continued to wander the halls and I walk into the dinning hall. I see my parents sitting down enjoying brunch. I sat down and both congratulated me for my birthday. They were super cute. As I'm eating and my mind is wandering my father interrupts my day dreaming.

"Yes daddy?" He smiles. "Honey I have a present for you, so once we are finished and our food has settled, meet me outside by stables ok?" "Ok." "As for my gift my beautiful daughter, it will be laid out on your bed as well as the crown you will use." "Thanks mom," I say with a huge smile on my face.

For the first time in a long time I was actually a little happy. Of course my father would have something outside and as for my mother's gift it's probably a dress. After we ate, I changed into a riding dress and walked over to the stable. There was my father brushing a black horse, my did he look so majestic and beautiful.

"Honey you made it! Here is my gift, Percy." My dad said with a proud look. "Wow, dad he's beautiful." I went and hugged him. "Thank you daddy I love it!" "He's all yours my beautiful!" He then walks away and I start to pet him and brush his hair and tail.

Later the stable boy went and set a saddle up and off I went. As I was walking back to my chambers after riding, the thought of that knight came to my mind again. I needed to find out who he is as soon as possible. As soon as I walked in I see Lily preparing my bath and in all honesty I didn't want to take one.

I know gross right? I didn't feel very lady like. Of course I had to take one so I went and unclothed myself and got in. As I was in the bath, I looked at Lily and smiled. I'm pretty sure she might know who he is. "Hey Lily?" She looks over at me and nods. "Yes Emma?" "You know everyone's name right? From the palace?" "Of course." I nod and smile.

"What about the Knights?" She stops pouring the lily scent oil from the bottle and squints her eyes. "Why are you asking?" "Oh it's because I met one today and I just wanted to know his name." "Emma you know it's forbidden for a princess and a knight to talk." I sigh. "I know, I just wanted to thank him for helping me."

She gives me an I'm-not-buying-this-sort of look. She laughs. "Well describe him to me." I smile. "Well he looked very reserved and he had a long scar around the lining of his jaw." She drops the cloth and smiles. "Oh my, Emma that is sir Neal, second in command from the captain of the Knights."

So his name is Neal. Well I'm happy to know his name. "Lily I was wondering if I can say thank you to him at the ball, do you think he will be there?" "Oh he will be there," Lily says with a huge smile on her face. "Alright I'll be back in 15 minutes; your mother has laid out your dress on the bed. So just relax until I come back." "Thanks Lily you're the best." She nods and walks away. I laid there in my tub and was preparing myself mentally for what I was going to endure tonight.

*Neal's POV*
I have to look my best tonight I'm pretty sure I will be standing close to the princess or at least at a distance in where I can see her. So there I am in the Knights Hall helping the captain with the set up of the Knights that will be outside the castle walls.

Security is a must for today, we will have a bunch of royals coming and we can't risk anyone especially my king and queen and their children. I get all the men in line ready to march to our stations and that's when the captain calls me over. "Sir?" "Stand down Neal." I nod and relaxed my stance.

"I have a special task for you." I stood there confused and wondering what that task would be. "Your task is to never leave princess Emma alone. There will be a lot of people at tonight's ball and they will probably want to get close so I'm appointing you to watch over her." I grasp my sword and nodded. "With pleasure sir." He smiles and nods.

I was so stoked because I will now be able to spend time with her and it won't look bad. So I get my uniform in order and head on up to her chambers. I get to her door and smiled. I was so nervous to meet her. What if she doesn't like the fact that I will be her knight? I shake my head of those thoughts and just knocked on the door.

*Emma's POV*
I was in awe standing there with the towel wrapped around my body as I see the dress. The dress is so beautiful. It was a red dress with black on the border. It matched perfectly with  the necklace Lily gave me so I was excited to put it on.

I try to get in the corset but of course I could never get it right. Lily walks in and starts to laugh because I'm all tied up with the laces from the corset. "Oh Emma come here, let me help." "Thanks," I say in a muffled tone. She finishes tying the corset and smiles. "Emma put on your dress and I'll come back to do your hair." I smile and nod.

I put my dress on and I walk to the window. I see carriage after carriage arrive and prince after prince gets off of them. I sigh. Hopefully I have fun today and find my one true love. As I'm leaning by the window sill a butterfly comes and lands on my hand.

I start to pet it and I could hear some chirping. I thought that was odd but beautiful. "Thank you," I said and I let it fly away. I was so occupied with the butterfly that I didn't hear that Lily was calling me nonstop so she can start doing my hair. "What's wrong Emma?" I sigh. "Oh nothing you know; I just don't want to go but I have to honor my parents wishes."

She finished doing my hair. I loved how it looked, she had put little black and red pearls. The little things I do to rebel my parents authority. I get the necklace and put it on. Lily gasps. "Emma your mother gave me this one so you can put it on." I look at it and it was beautiful, it was a black diamond in the center with red stones surrounding it.

"No put it away, I'm wearing this one," I said as I touched the necklace she gave me. She smiled super big. "Well Emma I think you're ready, go and have fun today." I smiled and nodded. "Oh and I forgot to tell you, since you are now 21 you will have a knight with you 24/7." I gasp. "I see, thanks again for everything Lily." She bows and leaves.

I look at myself in the mirror and I felt beautiful. I usually don't like looking so girly but since it wasn't the usual colors a princess would wear I am happy. I hear a knock and I open the doors. "Your majesty," the knight says. As the knight raises his head I see it, the scar lining his jaw. "It's you!"

I look at him and let me tell you he is not an ugly man, I was super happy because I will not mind seeing him 24/7. And the scar makes him look so mysterious. "Yes your majesty Sir Neal at your service," he says and smiles. "I am so happy it's you and not someone else," I say and smiles. He nods and smiles.